Question

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equal amounts of methylene blue (319.85 g/mol) and potassium permanganate (158.034 g/mol) dyes were added to identical agar plates and allowed to diffuse. after 24 hours, the halo was measured to see how far the dyes had moved. based on this information, which dye do you think diffused faster through the agar, and why?
multiple choice
methylene blue had a lower molecular weight, so it was able to diffuse more rapidly spreading farther through the agar in the same time.
potassium permanganate had a higher molecular weight, so it was able to diffuse more rapidly spreading farther through the agar in the same time.
potassium permanganate had a lower molecular weight, so it was able to diffuse more rapidly spreading farther through the agar

Explanation:

Smaller - sized molecules (lower molecular weight) diffuse faster through a medium like agar due to less resistance. Potassium permanganate has a lower molecular weight (158.034 g/mol) compared to methylene blue (319.85 g/mol). So, potassium permanganate will diffuse faster.

Answer:

Potassium permanganate had a lower molecular weight, so it was able to diffuse more rapidly spreading farther through the agar in the same time.